MPFNL: Ex-AFL forward joins Edithvale-Aspendale in Division 2

A Mornington Peninsula league club on the rise has signed a former AFL big man, and it explains why he will be “a real headache for a lot of teams”.

Tyrone Vickery of the Tigers celebrates a goal in 2016. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

“He’s the missing piece of the puzzle,” declared Edithvale-Aspendale coach Kris Pendlebury, referring to Tyrone Vickery, the club’s latest recruit.

Vickery, who played 125 games for Richmond and Hawthorn and booted 160 goals, will boost the Eagles’ quest to soar into the top rungs of Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 2.

He played in Coleraine’s premiership in the South West District league this year, kicking 37 goals in seven games.

That followed a season with Springvale Districts in the Southern league.

“It’s massive news for the club, very exciting,” Pendlebury said.

“He’s the missing piece of the puzzle. We recruited really well, obviously some defenders and mids, and I guess the last thing we were looking for was that big forward and low and behold it sort of fell into our lap.”

Tyrone Vickery takes a kick for Springvale Districts. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Pendlebury said Vickery was “very keen and super fit’’.

“I think he’s still at his playing weight from when he was playing AFL so he’ll be a real headache for a lot of teams I think,” he said.

Vickery is likely to play predominantly forward for Edi-Asp, but is also open to going into the ruck.

“He said he was happy to play forward or in the ruck so there’s no real limits where he’ll play, wherever he’s needed I guess at this stage but I think mainly down forward and he can pinch hit in the ruck if we need it,” he said.

Pendlebury knows first-hand how good Vickery is, having played on him a couple of times.

“He’s a very, very talented player, a big presence,’’ he said.

“I think he’s going to add a lot to the league let alone our team, so it’s really exciting.”

Vickery is head coach of the Oakleigh Chargers’ girl’s side and may miss games when there is a clash.

Tyrone Vickery. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Obviously he’s got coaching experience at the Oakleigh Chargers,’’ Pendlebury said. “We have a lot of young developing talls that he can really take under his wing so it’s a great asset for the club both on and off the field I think.’’

Edi-Asp has recruited well since appointing Pendlebury as playing-coach.

The signings include Lewis Diggins, a big-bodied midfielder who had stints at both Richmond and Sandringham in the VFL and has recently played with Beaumaris where he won a VAFA Premier B League Medal.

Edi-Asp’s other signings are Seaford’s Ishak Bashir and St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers defender Kane Hutchinson. Bashir is a stoppage-king midfielder who was runner-up in Seaford’s best and fairest award in 2022. Hutchinson is a powerfully built 6’5 key back who will slot in beside Pendlebury in Edi-Asp’s backline.

Pendlebury said he was “loving’’ coaching Edi-Asp.

“Week three, another two weeks to go (before Christmas) but we’ve been getting 60, 65 on the track every night,’’ he said.

“Really good buy-in from the boys so all going well so far.’’

He said Edi-Asp had finished recruiting now. “That’s it after getting this latest one, that’s it for now.’’